Steam power plant



Aug. 18, 1931. B A ETAL 1,819,619

STEAM POWER PLANT Filed May 2, 1928 J7zvani5r- Cheri/es B. Page warren De n, B f 6 M @44 W a steam power plant having Patented Aug. 1 8, 1931 DISTATES PATENT OFFICE V CHARLES B. PAGE AND WARREN DEAN BURTON, or EV NST N, ILLINOIS, nssierrorts BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To THE G. w. DULANY TRUST, or CHICAGO, rumors COMMON-LAW TRUST STEAM POWER PLANT Application filed May 2,

The primary ob invention resides in the provision of a novel steam power plant which is capable of satisfying a highly variable demand for steam. V

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a new and improved power plant comprising automatic controls tending to maintain a steady steam pressure regardless of the demand for steam.

A further object resides in the provision of a novel steam power planthaving a plurality of units for generating steam, and automatic means responsive to the pressure of the available steam for selectively rendering said units operable and inoperable.

Other objects reside in the provision in one or more steam generating units and an accumulator for storing the steam generated in said units, of automatic means for circulating feed water constantly through each heating unit while it is in operation, the feed water being taken from the feed water supply when the water level in the accumulator is below a predetermined point, and being taken from the accumulator when the predetermined point.

A general obJect of the invention IQSlClBS in the provision of a novel steam power plant which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction, which is highly efficient in operation, and which has a large and variable capacity and heating surface; Further objects and advantages Wlll become apparent as the descrlptionproceeds.

The figure 1n the accompanying drawing 40 is a diagrammatic representation of a steam power plant embodying the features of our invention.

WVhile the invention is susceptible of various modificationsand alternative construcions, we have shown in the drawing and will herein describe in detail thepreferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that we do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specificform disclosed, but intend to cover, all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope water level is above a 192s. Serial No. 274,428. 51

of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. e H, 5

Referring now to the exemplary embo ment of the invention illustrated n the dnawing, the steam power plant comprises a: culatory system including a steamacci later 10 undone or more steain genenati ngi units connected in. parallel, saidunits {being} adapted to take feed water from a .coijnnibni feed water linell opening from the bettonii of the accumulator, and being adapted to a charge into a common steam line 12 ope into, the accumulatorbelow the normalnW level therein. In the present instance wei have shown two of these units. 7 Prelillablwlj- 5 the units are alike in construction andglaen'eei but one unit will be specifically described, and corresponding parts ofthe otheriunit; willbe designated bythe same referenc cl' acters distinguished by the letter a.-

The accumulator 10 may be of any: construction, and in the present instanceco' prises a suitable drum. adapted to cont body of water 13. .The drum is provided; with a steam dome 14, a suitable {pressure-3 7 5 gage 15, a pressure reliefvalve 15", unable; water level regulator 16, and a low watfelza alarm whistle 15 5 i I 1;

Each of the steam generating uni oml-zt prises a steamgenerator 18. This generatiolieso may be a coil of an suitable constructiomiarul-a is connected at the inlet throughaa'zsiuitable z feed water pump 19 to the linellg-{andrdissli charges through a check valve l7ztorthe'gl-inea 12. Preferably, the discharge endipfl helli'rress 12 extends along the bottom ofthaiaceumill tor, and is perforated as at 20 SQgfcLSrl) cause? the steam or steam-water mixture coil 18 to thoroughly intermingle n water 13. Any suitable means may be p'rfovidcdefom driving the feed water. pump 19,,iand ;ipresent instance, the pump is operativel use nected to the driveshaft 21 of anelectrv'caiiotor 22. This motor is connected tlniouglrleadi wires 23and 24: to a suitable,starteniilfnwhic is adapted to connect the motorvdineetlyg: to), the positive and negative mainsrQfir-iandfl through lead wires 28 and 29,*,aslb miianua up its heat to the water 13 therein.

" mal level ofthe liquid 13 1 discharge ducts 48 through lead through lead wires 30 and 31 to a suitable automatic relay mechanism 32- connected to the main through lead wires 33 and 34.

Any suitable means may be provided for heating the steam generating coil 18. In the present instance, a plurality of independent heating units are provided preferably comprising suitable gas burners 35 and 36 connected (to gas supply pipes 37 and 38 respectively." Thesupply offuel to the burners 35 and'36 is controlled respectively by suitable valves 39 and 40 interposed in the pipes 37 and 38. Any suitable means may be provided for actuating the valves 39 and 40, and in the present instance, ,they are operatively connected respectively to suitable electric motors 41 and 42 connected through lead wires 43 and 44, and 45 and 46 to the relay unit 32.

Any suitable means may be provided for supplying air of'combustion to the burners 35 and :36, and in the present instance, this means is a suitable air blower 47, preferably of the Centrifugal type. The blower 47 is adapted to be driven by the motor 22, and has two air and 49 for supplying low pressure air respectively to the burners 35 and 36. Interposed in the duct 49 is a suitable valve 50 adapted to be opened and closed by a suitable electric motor 51 connected wires 52 and 5-3 to the relay unit 32.

The output of the generating coil 18, which may be steam or a steam-water mixture, is dischargedto the accumulator 10, and gives aturated steam is evolved from the surface of the water, and this steam is available for consumption. In the present instance, steam may be withdrawn through a suitable line 53 controlled by a valve 54 to a steam consumer 55, such as a unit."

Means is provided for automatically replenishing the supply of feed water in the closed circulatory system. To this end, a suitable teedwater supply tank 56 is connected through a feed water supply line 57 to the accumulator 10. Preferably, the discharge endof the line 57 opens above the norin the accumulator, and is perforated as at 58 to form a spray. Interposed in the line 57, are a check valve 59 for preventing a back flow of water to the tank 56, a suitable feed water pump 69, a valve 61, a feed water preheater or econoinizer 62, and a check valve 63 for preventing a discharge of steam from the accumulajtor 10 to the preheater.

The feed water pump may be driven by any suitable means, and in the present instance is connectedto a suitable electric motor 64 connected through lead wires 65 and 66 to a starter 67 adapted to be connected either directly through lead wires 68 and 69 turbine, steam engine, or heating in the order named,

to the mains 26 and 27, as by manual manipulation, or indirectly to said mains through lead wires 70 and 71 to the relay unit 32. The valve 61 is adapted to be actuated by an electric motor 72 connected through lead wires 73 and 7 4 to the relay unit 32. The preheater 62preferably comprises a coil nested with the generator coil 18, and adapted to be heated by the burners 35 and 36.

Means is provided for automatically ,con trolling the supply of feed water from the tank 56 in accordance with the water level in the accumulator 10. This means comprises a suitable valve 75 interposed in the line 57 between the check valve 59 and the pump 60, and adapted to be opened and closed by the water level regulator 16 acting through suitable linkage 76, respectively as the water falls below or raises above a predetermined level;

Means is provided for ensuring a flow of water through the coil .62 when the pump 60 is in operation and the valve 61 is open regardless of whether or not the supply of feed Water is being replenished "from the tank 56. To this end, the bottom of the accumulator 10 is connected through a line 77 controlled by a valve 78 to the line 57 between the valve 75 and the pump 60. The valve 78 is con trolled by the water level regulator 16 through the linkage 76, to open or close respectively as the water level rises or falls below a predetermined point. It will be evident that one orthe other of the two valves 75 and 78 will be open at all times.

The line 57 between the pump 60 and the valve 61 is connected through a line 79 and an over-flow valve 80 directly to the accumulater 10 so that when only one of the steam generating feed water from the pump 60 will overflow directly to the accumulator.

Means is provided for automatically con trolling the steam generating units and the supply of feed waterin accordance with pressure changes in the accumulator 10. This means comprises a plurality of switches 81, 81, 82, and 82 responsive to the pressure in the accumulator 10, and adapted to be closed in sequence as the pressure drops pro ressively below a predetermined point, for example 150 pounds per square inch. These switches as for example mercury switches, and communicate through a pipe 83 with the interior of the accumulator l0.

The switches 81, 81 82, and 82 are connected by a common lead wire 84 to the positive main 26, and are connected respectively through lead wires 85, 85 86, and 86 to the relay unit Two of the switches 81 and 82 are for one of the steam generating units, and two of the switches 81 and 82 are for the other of the steam generatingunits'.

The relay unit 32'contains standard relay units is in operation, any excess,

be of any suitable type,-

switches and circuits (not shown) under the control of the switches 81, 81 82, and 82 so as to control the operation of the various motors in the system. The specific construction of the relay unit 32 is complicated and per se forms no part of the present invention, and hence it is considered unnecessary to specifically describe the same. It will suffice to state that when the switch 81 is closed, the motors 41 and 72, which are reversible, will be set in operation temporarily to open the valves 39 and 61, and the motors 22 and 64 will be set in operation to supply feed water to the generator coil 18 and the preheater 62 and air for combustion to the burner '35; when the switch 81 is closed, the motors 41 and 72*, which also are reversible, will be set in operation temporarily to open the valves 39 and 61 and the motor 22 will be set in operation to supply feed water to the generator coil 18 and air for combustion to the burner 35 when the switch 82 is closed, the motors 42 and 51, which are also reversible, will be set temporarily in operation to open the valves 40 and 50; when the switch 82 is closed, the motors 42 and 51*, similar to the motors 42 and 52, will be set temporarily in operation to open the valves 40 and 50. When the switches 81, 81 82, and 82 are opened, the foregoing sequence is reversed, the motors 22, 22 and 64 being rendered inoperative, and the motors 41, 42, 51, 72, 41 42 51, and 72, being set temporarily in operation in the opposite direction to close the valves 39, 40, 50, 61, 39 40 50 and 61 respectively. The valve motors are rendered inoperable on the respective opening or closing of the valves.

The operation will now be briefly described.

The feed water preferably is softened, as by the Zeolite process, and is stored in the tank 56.

Let it be assumed that the water in the accumulator 10 is at the normal level, and that the accumulator is at the desired pressure. for example 150 pounds per square inch. In this event, all of the switches 81, 81 82 and 82 will be open, and hence no steam will be generated. The valves 61 and 61 will be closed.

If the pressure in the accumulator 10 drops below the desired point, as in the event of a heavy steam demand, the switch 81 will close, thereby opening the valves 39 and 61 and setting the pumps 19 and 60 and the blower 47 in operation. Fuel through the pipe 37 and air through the duct 48 will then be supplied to the burner 35, and feed water will be supplied to the coil 18 and the preheater ($2. With the valve 50 closed, the blower 47 will operate at half capacity. The burner 36 and the other steam generating unit are cold. Excess feed water from the pump 60, which would pass to the coils 62 and 62 under full load conditions, will overflow to the accumulator through the line 79.

If the water level in the accumulator falls below the normal level, the regulator 16 will close the valve 78 and will open the valve 7 5 to take feed water from the tank 56 instead of the accumulator 1O so as to automatically replenish the supply.

If the pressure drops still further, the switch 81 will close, thereby opening the valves 39 and 61 and setting the pump 19 and the blower 47 in operation. This will supply fuel and air to the burner 35*, and feed water to the coils 18 and 62 steam generating units are now operating at half capacity,

If the pressure drops still further, the switch 82 will close, thereby opening the valves 40 and 50 to supply fuel and air to the burner 36. At this point, one steam generating unit is in full operation, and the other steam generating unit is operating under a half load. 1

If the pressure drops still further, the switch 82 will close, thereby opening the valves 40? and 50 tosupply fuel and air to the burner 36. Bothsteam generating units are now operating under maximum load.

If the pressure in the accumulator now rises progressively to the desired valves81, 81 82 and 82 will open in reverse order to reverse the operation just described.

Thus, the-burners 36", 36, 35, and 35 will be.

rendered inoperative in sequence, and as both burners of each unit are rendered inoperative, the supply of feed water and air to that unit will be cut off. It will be evident that we have provided a steam power plant, which is extremely flexible, fully automatic, ellicient, and which has a highly variable capacity.

e claim as our invention:

1. A steam power plant having, in combination, an accumulator adapted to contain a body of water, a steam generator with its dis" charge end connected .to said accumulator,

means for circulating feed water from said accumulator through said steam generator,

a plurality of heating units for said steam generator, and means responsive to the pres sure in said accumulator for controlling said feed water supply and said heating units.

2. A steam power plant having, in combination, an accumulator, a steam generating unit for discharging to said'accumulator, a feed water heater for discharging to said accumulator, means for heating said steam generating unit, means responsive to the pressure in said accumulator for controlling said heating means, and means for automatically supplying feed water to said heater when said heating means is in operation.

3. A steam power plant having, in combination, an accumulator adapted to contain a body of water, a steam generating unit for discharging to said accumulator, said unit Both compri'singIa generator,-means for supplying feed Water to said generator, a pair of burnens, means for supplying fuel and air to said burners, and-means responsive to the pressure in said accumulator for controlling said first and second mentioned means to render said burners operable and inoperable in sequence.

4. A steam power plant having, in combination, an accumulator, a steam generating unit for discharging to said accumulator, a feed Water heat-er, means for heating said steam generating unit, means responsive to the pressure in'said accumulator for controlling-said heating means, and means for automatically supplying feed water to said feed Water heater when said heating means is in operation. I

' 5.. A'steam power plant comprising, in combination, an accumulator adapted to contain a body of water, a steam generator for discharging. to said accumulator, means for supplying feed water to said generator, a feed Water preheat-er for discharging to said ac: cumulator, a feed water supply, means responsiveto the water level in said accumulator for selectively supplying water from said accumulator and said feed water supply to said preheater as the level in said accumulator .rises above and falls below a predetermined point, means responsive to the pressure in said accumulator for controlling the supply of Water tosaid feed water preheater, and a line'including an overflow valve connecting 7 said second mentioned means to said accumulator.

6.' A steam power plant having, in combination, an accumulator adapted to contain a body of water, a pair of steam generators for dischargingto said accumulator, means for supplying'feed water to said generators, a pair of feed Water preheaters for discharging to'said accumulator, afeed Water supply line, two'lines each" including a valve respectively connecting said feed water preheaters to said feed water supply line, a source of feed Water, means responsive to the water level in said accumulator for selectively supplying water from said-accumulator and said feed water source tosaid feed'water supply line as the level insaidaccumulator rises above and falls below a predetermined point, and a line including an, overflow valve connecting said feedwa'tcr supply line to said accumulator for returning excess water to said accumulator. .In testimony whereof we have hereunto affixed our signatures.

'; CHARLES B. PAGE.

WVARBEN DEAN BURTON. 

